What Does Matthew 10:6 Mean in the King James?

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 10:6 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

“Lost” does not revoke “sheep”: the summons moves toward those whose danger has not erased their belonging.

THE MEANING

The summons moves toward Israel’s lost sheep, still named as belonging even while their lostness carries danger. For you now, losing the way does not erase belonging or place you beyond the reach of the summons.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

Being lost means you no longer belong, or that no one can reach you.

THE ROOT

ἀπολωλότα

apolōlota

GROWS FROM

ἀπόλλυμι

apollymi

To perish, be lost, or lose the way.

The Greek word translated “lost” belongs to the same word family as “perish” and “lose.” English can make lost sound like mere absence; the Greek also carries danger, even as the verse continues to name them sheep of Israel’s house.

ALSO GROWS

apolesei: shall lose

ἀπολέσει

In Matthew 16:25, this form of the same word family links losing with the stakes of a life, deepening the urgency of the summons toward the lost.

apolētai: should perish

ἀπόληται

In John 3:16, the same word family names perishing, showing that “lost” here can carry the weight of real danger.

THE PATTERN

Lostness names a sheep’s departure from its way while leaving it within reach of seeking and return.

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Psalm 119:176 · KJVThe lost sheep asks to be sought, making its wandering a condition from which it can still be reached.

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

Luke 15:4 · KJVThe shepherd’s movement toward the lost sheep makes seeking the answer to its absence.

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

1 Peter 2:25 · KJVThe sheep that has gone astray is still capable of returning to the Shepherd.

THE THREAD

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 · KJV

The Greek verb behind “lost” here and the verb rendered “perish” in John 3:16 are forms of ⁨ἀπόλλυμι⁩ (apollymi), “perish, lose.” That shared word family makes the danger in the sheep’s condition audible, while Matthew still names them as belonging to Israel’s house.

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